Mr. Shuvalov, in an interview, also said high energy prices were a danger to the long-term development of Russia's economy, which must be weaned from its dependence on oil and gas.
Russia, which has been negotiating for 16 years to join the WTO, is the biggest economy outside the 153-nation group. But Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin shocked U.S. and European officials shortly afterward by saying that rather than seeking entry by itself, Moscow would seek to join as part of a customs union with Kazakhstan and Belarus. Last week, however, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called the customs-union plan "problematic," saying Moscow will likely continue with its nearly complete talks to join independently.The Wall Street Journal
